The Soviet propaganda poster appeals to logic. This picture
can be interpreted in multiple ways. The picture is split in two, where the
lighter half could represent the present. The students in the background appear
to be working on their own model spaceships. Then, in the darker half of the
picture, complicated spaceships and rockets roam the galaxy, flying around representing
the future. It is logical that the boy separates both present and future
because he is the transition between the modern day models to the physical
spaceships. With this boy’s imagination and knowledge, space will be filled in
the future with Russian technology. The idea of having a teenager separate
present from future is important because even the younger generation is taking
part in the space race. Thus, this propaganda poster calls for youths to take
interest and become involved in the space race. Another interpretation of this
poster could be that the lighter half of the image is reality and the darker
half is the boy’s imagination. As the boy plays around with the model
spaceship, he imagines a real spaceship and rockets in space. This boy serves
as a model to Russian youth and sends the message that Russian youth should be
thinking about the space race as well. This logical connection allows the
poster to effectively keep the space race intact for another generation.
I find your take on this poster and particular observation of the divided black and white sections very interesting. Your interpretation of the teenager being involved in future projects for the space race is completely accurate as the poster label literally reads "From model students to space ships". This was certainly a time, where governments rallied the youth around the cause of the space race. Do you think that the American or Russian governments rally the youth around a particular cause nowadays? Or was that action reserved for the 1960s?
ReplyDelete- Lina Bauer
DeleteI thought you had really cool analysis. I imagine this would have been a hard photo to analyze. I would like to know what the words in Russian say. I think that might have been a part of the "logos" of the picture. I like how you talked about teenagers being part of the space race, this picture is alot less hostile than the other one you guys are analyzing so I definitely think that was important. When you were looking for pictures did you notice that the Russian ones were more friendly and the American ones more hostile? Just wondering.
ReplyDelete- By lindsey wright
DeleteGood, logical analysis. I agree with Lindsey, it would be cool to discover what the Russian words are saying. To offer a new perspective here, after seeing the contrast between present and future, the line that divides the two is actually the trail of the rocket. Could that possibly suggesting that the rocket itself offers the gateway into the future?
ReplyDelete~Greg Fiola
I'm sure the English translation of the Russian words would certainly add a few more ideas to the purpose of the poster but I think even without it your interpretations are at least pretty close. Countries like Russia do whatever they can to focus their youth on a particular issue they're going to be focusing on so I think it's very likely that the whole point of the poster was to make it clear to the youths of this time that it was up to them to make advances in the space race.
ReplyDeleteYour interpretation of this poster was very interesting and thought-provoking. I completely agree with your thought that the main figure divides (or rather bridges the gap) between the present and the supposed future of Soviet Russia. This posters really ensures Russia’s priority of the advancement their youth before anything else. I think you are very right in deducing that this particular poster’s main purpose is an almost call to action for the youth of Soviet Russia to take part in the space race, that it isn’t only an issue for the older generations to care about. I also enjoy your thought that the darker half, depicting a scene with a space station, is of the boy’s imagination, further insinuating Russia’s putting value in the innovative mind of their youth. Well done!
ReplyDelete-Danielle Mundhenk
Lina- I think you bring up an excellent question. The only thing I could think the government tries to rallies up students for at the moment is to join the army. Although most likely that has always been the case, now the army recruitment is greater than ever. Popular shooter games are meant to convince people to join the army and it work overwhelmingly.
ReplyDeleteLindsey- the words translate to "From student’s models to spaceships!" When I was researching other photos, Russia seemed to have equally violent propaganda as the United States. That is an interesting question though.
Greg- I did not even realize a rocket caused the separation between the light and dark side of the picture. This is seems important and I would have analyzed it if I saw it earlier. You seem completely right; the rocket does seem as a gateway to the future, but it may also be seen as a separation between the present and the future. For example, right now, the future is separated by a successful launch of a rocket, but once this rocket launch occurs, the barrier between the present and future will disappear. And, if there were another version of this poster released 10 years later, perhaps a different barrier rather than a rocket would be present, such as electric cars. Once electric cars are invented, a new barrier will form, and the cycle will continue. I think this was an excellent point to bring up.
Sean- I agree with what you're saying; the poster makes the point that it is up to the youth to continue the space race into the future.
Danielle- Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed my analysis.
Great post and comments alike!
ReplyDelete